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Gardening Galore
With the onset of the rains, pests and diseases will
become a greater problem in the garden. Generally plants that are
stressed are the ones attacked. If you are able to keep your plants
growing healthily, you should have less of a problem. Keep the
plants fed with compost or manures in dry form or as teas. Allow air
circulation round the plants. Planting with wider spacing so the
plants can dry out after heavy storms and during over-cast weather.
Below is a list of plants with insecticidal and
fungicidal properties which can be used to help you in the garden:
Insecticidal
African Marigold, Grey Sisal, Apple of Peru,
Euphorbia, , Jatropha, Bitter Bark, Black Jack, Cassava, Castor Oil,
Chilli, Sickle Bush, Cork Bush, Custard Apple, Feverfew, Finger
Millet, Garlic, Goat Weed, Gun Tree, Lantana, Leadwood, Leonotis,
Lippia, Mexican Marigold, Mexican Poppy, Monkey Orange, Oleander,
Onion, Paw Paw, Pyrethrum, Raintree, Khaya, Red Sunflower, Rhubarb,
Euphorbia Rubber Hedge, Soya Beans, Sugar Apple, Sun Henp, Sweet
Basil, Sweet Potato, Syringa, Tea, Tephrosia, Thorn Apple, Tobacco,
Tomato, Wild Basil and Worn Seed.
Fungicidal
Onion, Garlic, Paw Paw, Sweet Potato, Tomato,
Persianlilae, Tobacco, Sweet Basil, Rhubarb, African Marigold, Goat
Weed, Mexican Poppy, Thorn Apples Asthma Weed, Euphorbia, Tobacco,
Caster Oil and Mexican Marigold.
Milk is also a good insecticide and fungicide.
In the garden, it is a good time to establish lawns
but do keep weeding. It is also a good time to plant Sun Flower,
Zinnia, Celeriac, Marigold, Sweet William, Verbena, Gypsophilla,
Asher in the veg garden. Plant Beet Beans, Cabbage, Pepper, Maize,
Pumpkin, Butternut Squash, Spinach, Marrows, Carrots and Cucumber.
Bicarbonate of soda and citric acid are also useful
as spray with soft soap.
The
author of our monthly column is a horticulturalist who can be
contacted on email through The Lowdown or by phone on 096 747-990
for your gardening queries. |
December 2004